Osteochondrosis is a chronic disease of the spine. It develops with age and consists of degenerative-dystrophic changes that occur in the intervertebral discs. For a long time, there were no symptoms of any kind. A person may notice only some stiffness in the spine.
Osteochondrosis progresses slowly - many factors affect the rate of the disease. If the pathology is not treated, complications arise: sciatica, sciatica and others, depending on the spine. Some doctors believe that such a disease as osteochondrosis does not exist, and only those who do not understand human physiology make such a diagnosis.
Causes
In the 21st century, the disease, compared with the 20th century, has noticeably rejuvenated. Very often, you can meet young people who have dystrophic degenerative changes in the intervertebral discs during a medical examination for another pathology. There is only one reason for this: urbanization and progress.
Today, a person does not need to make an effort to get to work or to get food. Most of them lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat undernourished and gain weight quickly, walk in the fresh air and do active activities, prefer a computer and a comfortable sofa. Even before work, many get into their own cars, which are in the underground garage on the territory of a multi-storey building, and sit at the workplace for 7-9 or more hours.
In a note. Osteochondrosis is a human disease only. None of the mammals had such pathology. You must understand that this is Homo sapiens' retribution for walking upright.
What causes osteochondrosis?
The following factors can drive the onset of the disease in the context of physical inactivity, lack of sufficient physical activity, and an unhealthy lifestyle:
- violation of the metabolism of minerals and vitamins;
- a large number of transferred infectious diseases;
- chronic stress, depression;
- sudden movements, lifting heavy objects;
- spinal injury;
- severe hypothermia;
- flexible;
- curvature of the spine unnoticed in time and not cured;
- prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position (not necessarily sitting).
In a note. Big sports have a negative impact on human health. For example, weightlifting (and not only) in the future can become a trigger for degenerative-dystrophic changes in the intervertebral discs.
What happens to the spine?
The following factors directly affect the health of the back:
- blood circulation in the paravertebral tissues is disturbed, the intervertebral discs suffer from a lack of nutrients (they do not have their own blood vessels and depend on the surrounding tissues);
- the muscular corset that supports the spine weakens, the vertebrae receive an additional load that they cannot withstand;
- intervertebral discs lose moisture, decrease in volume and diameter - the spine seems to sink (many people note that they become 5 or even 10 centimeters lower with age);
- there is instability of one or more parts of the spine;
- the body solves the problem of instability by growing osteophytes - these are marginal bone growths that, over time, firmly cement the spine, depriving it of flexibility.
In a note. The transformation of the spine itself does not cause pain - pain syndrome appears when osteophytes infringe on nerve roots, large arteries and lymphatic vessels or the anatomical position of the vertebral bodies has changed.
Symptoms
Signs of osteochondrosis increase with the progression of the disease. There are 4 stages of pathology:
- First. Symptoms are completely absent. Without pain. A person may experience a little more fatigue than usual, some stiffness in the spine, which is explained by fatigue, excessive physical exertion, and overwork. Osteochondrosis in the first stage can be
- Second. A persistent pain syndrome appears due to infringement of the nerve roots, which is easily stopped by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. If the patient continues to ignore her body's signals and does not go to the doctor, the disease progresses rapidly. The flexibility of the spine is reduced, especially in the cervical and lumbar regions. The development of vertebral artery syndrome is likely due to compression by edematous paravertebral tissues or a displaced vertebra.
- Third. Pathology in a state of deterioration. Pain haunts a person throughout the day, slightly weakening in a horizontal position, but it is impossible to stay in one position for a long time (on the back, on the side). Sleep is disturbed, the patient becomes irritable. A person stoops (thoracic, lumbar), trying for a more comfortable position that does not cause discomfort, which becomes an impetus for the formation of a hump, scoliosis and other spinal deformities.
- Four. There is an accumulation of osteophytes - stabilization of the spine. The patient can look around her only by completely turning the torso. The pain is strong, constant, it is completely eliminated only with blockades (novocaine, prednisolone). Disability in the fourth stage is about 80%.
Simultaneously with the listed signs, the patient may be tormented by symptoms that, at first glance, have nothing to do with the back: dizziness, flies in the eyes, arterial hypertension, numbness of the upper extremities (cervical osteochondrosis), pain in chest mimicking angina or heart attack, intercostal neuralgia (thoracic osteochondrosis), cauda equina syndrome, lower extremity numbness (lumbosacral osteochondrosis).
In a note. Pathology provokes vegetovascular and neurodystrophic disorders.
Diagnosis
To establish an accurate diagnosis, the patient is sent for radiography, myelography, and neurological examination of reflexes. If this is not enough, a reference to:
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
- CT (computed tomography);
- NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).
The doctor also interviews the patient and performs a medical exam, which reveals areas of pain, a possible curvature of the spine, the difference in the length of the legs, and other objective signs of spinal damage.
Therapy
The treatment of osteochondrosis is complex. To stop the degeneration process, or at least slow it down, they are assigned:
- chondroprotectors - externally, orally (by mouth), in injections to restore cartilage tissue;
- muscle relaxants - relax spasmodic muscle groups, used only under medical supervision;
- analgesics;
- blockages - relieve pain for a long time, but do not heal;
- physiotherapy (magnetotherapy, phonophoresis, vibrotherapy, EHF and others);
- exercise therapy and author gymnastics;
- massage;
- acupuncture;
- balneotherapy and mud therapy.
In advanced cases (uncontrolled urination and defecation, cauda equina syndrome), surgical intervention may be necessary to decompress and stabilize the affected spinal segments.
Decompression operations with subsequent access:
- facetectomy;
- foraminotomy;
- laminectomy;
- laminotomy
Decompression operations with previous access:
- discectomy;
- corpectomy.
To stabilize the damaged segment, spinal fusion is used - the fusion of adjacent vertebrae using a special fixed structure (rods). A bone implant is placed in place of the removed intervertebral disc (the bone material is taken from a donor or formed from the patient's own bone).
In a note. Spinal fusion can be avoided. Surgeons have achieved a lot in the surgical treatment of osteochondrosis. Instead of a removed intervertebral disc, it is possible to install an artificial one and thus avoid complete immobilization of the segment. Operations on the spine are fraught with many complications, therefore they are prescribed only in extreme cases.
Prevention
Even Hippocrates said, "It is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it. "This rule also applies to osteochondrosis. It is enough for a person to monitor her health, lead an active lifestyle, eat right, exercise regularly to maintain the health of the spine.
However, if the disease manifested itself, prevention will help not to start it. Follow these guidelines:
- Sleep with the right mattress and pillow. Choose orthopedic and check with your doctor first.
- Make it a rule to walk at least half an hour before and after work. During the break, do not sit in front of the computer or phone, but warm up, and then have a snack.
- Watch your weight. The higher it is, the harder it is on the spine.
- Observe the rest mode (work during the day, sleep at night).
- Try to eliminate stress from your life. If you feel that you are falling into a depression, go to a specialist.
In a note. Traditional healers claim that osteochondrosis can be cured with the help of medicinal herbs. It is difficult to say how true this statement is. Treatment with alternative methods can be used in conjunction with that prescribed by the doctor. Otherwise, the result is not guaranteed.
Osteochondrosis is a dangerous disease, fraught with disabilities if treatment is not started on time. If you feel that you have tired suspiciously quickly and in the morning the spine is less flexible than before, see a doctor and have a full examination. In the initial stages, the pathology can slow down and even stop completely.